Silver Jewellery Making?

Question

I am interested in making silver jewellery at home.. what sort of materials do you need to get started, andwhat sort of expertise?

Answer 1

Quite a few tools and alot of expertise. I would suggest you look around your area for beginners classes BEFORE you invest a lot of money in equipment, and take the risk of injuring yourself seriously into the bargain.



Check at your local art center, art museums-sometimes they have classes/schools attached to them-as well as community college (2 yr colleges) and universities. Check on what is known as 'auditing' a class at the colleges. It costs less than a regular enrollment, because you don't take tests or worry about a grade, but you still get to learn. You want to ask about 'metal design' classes in their visual arts studio department, also known as Fine Arts department.



If all else fails, and you can't find any of this locally, check at the local crafts supply stores for local artists and put up a notice asking for a teacher/classes, if they have a open bulletin board.



Leigh

Answer 2

You could try starting with Precious Metal Clay. You form jewelry as if you were using regular clay. After it's fired, the clay burns away and the sterling silver is left. Although it requires firing in a kiln, I think there's a lot fewer materials/costs than most other techniques. Many bead stores have classes in it.



Another place to look for hardcore classes in stuff like soldering, polishing, etc. is at a technical school.